daboost/Thinkstock(BEIJING) -- Two dozen reporters from The New York Times and Bloomberg could be forced to leave China if their journalist visas are not renewed.

China has long been known to withhold press visas as a way to control coverage. In recent months and years, both the Times and Bloomberg ran stories tying top leadership to corrupt financial practices.

If the reporters are made to leave, two major American media companies will be without core reporting staffs in the world’s second largest economy.

The first visas should be issued on Dec. 17, but there are no guarantees.